What started as one mother’s grieving response to the death of a daughter has grown into one of Denver’s largest holiday events serving needy children.
Families waited in line for over 48 hours to attend the 11th Annual Dolls for Daughters and Toys for Boys Toy Shop on December 7th at the at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, Denver. Doors opened at 9 a.m. and closed at 3:30 p.m.
Each child received a new (not used) toy, a small toy, stuffed animal, a new toothbrush/toothpaste kit and a wooden toy car. Several families also received diapers, socks and books for their children.
“Last year we served 14,268 Colorado children in need,” Bachus said. “This year our goal is to serve 15,000 children between our six toy shop and nonprofit partners in December.” More than 500 volunteers were on hand to help at the Denver Toy Shop.
Sponsors for this year’s toy shop include Ford Motor Company Safelite Autoglass, Suncor, Injury Finance, Staples, Telemundo, Academy Kids Vision and Dental, Waste Management, Bachus & Schanker Cares Foundation and Alpine Bank.
For information on supporting Kenzi’s Causes and its programs, visit www.KenzisCauses.org. Kenzi’s Causes was founded in 2007 after Jessica Bachus’ daughter Kenzi was stillborn at 24 weeks. Overcome with grief, Jessica felt compelled to channel her emotions into something that would honor Kenzi’s memory. With this notion, Kenzi’s Causes was created so that Jessica and her family could provide dolls to young girls at Christmas time who would otherwise go without. Jessica collected over 150 dolls the first year and since then Kenzi’s Causes has expanded, providing support to over 69,000 children across the state of Colorado. Jessica and her husband Kyle have three living children and are dedicated to serving the community they live in.
